[1:00 PM] Blackhawks @ Flyers

Who will WIN this matchup?

Chicago Blackhawks (16-6-3)

@ Philadelphia Flyers (12-10-3)

 

Starting Goalies:

Corey Crawford(CHI): Confirmed

Steve Mason(PHI): Unconfirmed

 

• The Philadelphia Flyers have dominated the Chicago Blackhawks at home since opening the doors to the Wells Fargo Center. After falling short in a contest in the building’s first season (1996-97), the Flyers vie for their 13th straight home regular-season win over the Blackhawks when the clubs meet on Saturday afternoon.

• Chicago has opted to take a cautious approach with the ailing back of captain Jonathan Toews, who will miss his fifth straight game on Saturday. Toews likely is headed to injured reserve to free up a roster spot for defenseman Trevor van Riemsdyk, who has been sidelined six weeks while rehabbing an apparent shoulder injury.

• Perhaps the sight of the Blackhawks can spur on struggling Matt Read, who tallied twice in the first meeting but has just three points – all assists – in his last 13 games overall. Fellow forward Jakub Voracek hasn’t been shy about contributing on the offensive end, capping a two-assist performance by setting up Giroux on the winning goal on Thursday as the Flyers matched a season high with the third straight victory. Voracek, who has one goal and four assists in the past three games, set up a pair of tallies in the first meeting with Chicago to increase his point total to 19 (five goals, 14 assists) in 25 career encounters.

• Reigning Hart Trophy winner Patrick Kane, who has tormented Philadelphia since netting the 2010 Stanley Cup-clinching goal, recorded a four-point performance (one goal, three assists) in the first meeting this season.

• The Flyers have scored first in just nine of 25 games this season.

• The Blackhawks are 1-for-18 on the power play in their last eight games.

 

StreakSmarts Pick: Chicago Blackhawks

Confidence: 5/10

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